Missionaries of the King (Matthew 10:24-42)

Opening Prayer

Scripture Reading

Matthew 10:24–42 NKJV

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Introduction

Question: Who can tell me what we spoke about last week?

Last week we looked at the following:

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How God calls people into the work of the ministry

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Specifically how the disciples were called and appointed as apostles

How Jesus specifically instructed to preach the message of the Kingdom to the Jewish people.

We saw how God equipped them for their calling, by giving them the following:

Authority to drive out demons and

To heal sicknesses and diseases

Jesus then instructed them, to be completely dependent upon God - who would be faithful to provide for every one of their needs.

And lastly, He warned them of the coming persecution they would face as His representatives.

Therefore, Jesus instructed them to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

This week we will pick up where we left off, and today we will look at the following:

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Persecution, and how we as Christians can expect it in this life.

How we are to fear God and not men.

Choosing to be loyal to Jesus - even if it costs us our closests relationships.

And lastly, how we can expect to receive a reward from Jesus.

Persecutions are Coming

Matthew 10:24 (NKJV)

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

Vs: 24:

Here we see Jesus (the teacher) warning His disciples (the servants), that as His representatives - they should be expect to be treated the way He was treated.

John 15:20 (NKJV)

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...

Jesus is making it clear to his apostles that He was not expecting something from them, that He himself had not experienced.

If Jesus was rejected, was sorrowful, experienced suffering, and was hated and despised by others, to the point where they put Him to death on the cross - the disciples could expect to experience the same.

And just like the apostles would experience these things as representatives of Jesus, we can expect the same as His followers.

But the Bible says, that when Jesus sends us out as His representatives to share the good news He will be with us.

Matthew 28:18–20 (NKJV)

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Not only that, but when we face these trials and persecutions, He can comfort us. Why? He understands. He experienced the exact same challenges.

Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NKJV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

V25:

Matthew 10:25 (NKJV)

It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!

Just like the Jews falsely accused Jesus and called Him names, the disciples could expect the same.

John 8:48 (NKJV)

Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

In verse 25, the Jews called Jesus Beelzebub and accused Him of having a demon.

Beelzebub is another name for Satan, which means - “Lord of the Flies”.

Just as the Jews falsely accused Jesus of driving out demons by the power of Satan, they would likewise do to the disciples.

V26:

Read:

Matthew 10:26 (NKJV)

Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Despite the persecution of the disciples, He instructs them not to be afraid.

The Bible says that:

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

And there will come a time that we will be rewarded for our suffering.

Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Therefore, we must be willing to patiently endure the hardships as representatives of Jesus.

And just as a reward awaits us, judgment awaits those who persecute the representatives of Jesus.

Just as God will judge the religious leaders persecuting the apostles, God will also judge those who persecute followers of Jesus today.

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God

Matthew 10:27–28 (NKJV)

“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

V27-28:

Here, we again see Jesus instructing the disiciples not to be afraid.

They were expected to preach the message of the kingdom even in the face of persecution.

But in order for them to be bold, they needed an eternal perspective.

Charles Spurgeon, famously said, “There is no cure for the fear of man like the fear of God.”

Those persecuting them could only physically harm them, the worst they could do was kill them.

But God was the one to be feared. Why? Because God had the power to destroy both the soul and the body forever.

Proverbs 29:25 (NKJV)

The fear of man brings a snare,

But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

1 Peter 3:14–15 (ESV)

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

We should always be ready to boldly defend the good news of Jesus Christ, knowing that God will protect us.

Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Matthew 10:29–31 (NKJV)

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Here Jesus makes it clear, that God is in control.

God is Sovereign.

He is aware and concerned about your circumstances, and the challenges you are facing.

He has promised to never leave or forsake you.

He is omniscient, meaning, He is all-knowing.

He is aware of even the most insignificant matters in the world - like the timing and death of a bird.

If He watches over the birds of the air and cares for them - how much more valuable are you to him?

He sees you and knows the giants you are facing.

He is going to help you.

But for now, you need to be obedient and do what He has told you.

Confess Christ Before Men

Matthew 10:32–33 (NKJV)

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

V32:

Your faith in Jesus is not a private matter.

As a disciple of Jesus you have identified yourself with Him.

In fact, Jesus makes it clear that a public confession of faith in Him is required for you to be saved.

Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

V33:

Jesus makes it clear that if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before God.

We are either for Him, or against Him - there is no middle ground.

They and we are were expect to faithfully confess Jesus before men, and He will acknowledge us as His servants before God the Father.

Mark 8:38 (NKJV)

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Christ brings division

Matthew 10:34 (NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

John MacArthur, states that “though the ultimate end of the gospel is peace with God, the immediate result of the gospel is frequently conflict.”

Although the ulitmate purpose of Jesus mission on earth was to provide us peace with God by his death on the cross, His message can act as a sword that divides and severs relationships.

Meaning, when we become followers of Jesus there is an seperation that takes place that cannot be avoided.

Becoming a follower of Jesus changes you so radically, its impossible for you to look like those around you.

And those who see the change might not like it or support it.

V35:

Matthew 10:35–38 (NKJV)

For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Its possible for you to even be persecuted by your own family members.

I remember when I became a Christian, people could no longer recognize me.

I was stuck in the same body, but the person they knew was no longer there.

Some celebrated that I had gotten saved, they said I was a walking miracle. That they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Others hated the change - so they abandonend me.

I lost all my friends, and some of my own family till this day wants nothing to do with me.

But guess what? I could not deny Jesus.

I could not deny the fact that He is alive, and that He saved me.

Even today, no matter hard it is following Jesus - I can’t let go of Him.

He is all I want and need.

He saved my life, He bought me with His own blood on the cross, and now I belong to Him.

He deserves my loyalty.

Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV)

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,

And He who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

V38-39:

Matthew 10:39 (NKJV)

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Salvation is free, but it will cost you everything.

Have you counted the cost of what it means to follow Jesus?

Are you willing to be persecuted and hated for His name sake?

Jesus promises that if you give up your life for His name sake, you will find it.

And by His grace, you will be able to endure the cross He has assigned to you.

Matthew 16:24–25 (NKJV)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

A Cup of Cold Water

V41:

Matthew 10:40–42 (NKJV)

“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Those who would receive those who faithfully served the Lord received Him.

Not only that, those that received the apostles and served them were partnering in Jesus work.

The little ones spoken of in verse 42, is referring to the apostles themselves.

God saw them as His children.

As His children, being sent on this journey, He knew that the apostles were going to be vulnerable and unable to repay the kindness that was shown to them by strangers.

Those received and provided for their needs, even if it was something as small as a cup of water - would be rewarded for it.

From the apostles perspective, receiving a cup of cold water by the people might seem insignificant.

But to God it was everything but insignificant.

He was keeping record and would allow them to share in the apostles reward.

Hebrews 6:10 (NKJV)

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Matthew 11:1 (NKJV)

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

Here, Jesus had finished giving the instruction to the apostles for their mission, and then they departed.

Jesus then proceeded to preach and teach in other cities.

Closing Prayer: